Because OSNews is technically a site from the US, and because the technology industry is decidedly a US-centric industry, we often talk about US politics having adverse effects on technology - or, the other way around. That's why I've been detailing the political movements here in The Netherlands with regards to net neutrality. After a lot of positive news, I've now got some bad news - bad news that involves the largest political party trying to block net neutrality - because one of its members of parliament, Afke Schaart, is a former KPN employee. And yes, KPN is the carrier that first announced it was going to block and throttle traffic.

Obviously you can't compete without your own network. That's true for every other business.

But that's irrelevant: if customers want this kind of thing, there will be someone providing it, if it can be provided at a profit.

What happens know is that people who don't use VOIP are subsidising the people who do, if VOIP simply costs more to provide. Which is not unlikely.

And who is using VOIP most? Obviously the smart and well-paid. And who isn't using VOIP? Elderly and low-income probably. So who is subsiding the habits of Tom? Yes, that's right. The poor can subsidise the rich through regulation. That's probably what's going to happen. So what we will see is not a market failure, but another regulation failure.

What happens know is that people who don't use VOIP are subsidising the people who do, if VOIP simply costs more to provide. Which is not unlikely.

And who is using VOIP most? Obviously the smart and well-paid. And who isn't using VOIP? Elderly and low-income probably. So who is subsiding the habits of Tom? Yes, that's right. The poor can subsidise the rich through regulation. That's probably what's going to happen. So what we will see is not a market failure, but another regulation failure.

I have no idea what your elderly and not so high income parents do with their internet (except for mandatory porn which the whole thing is about of course), but I can tell you why mine and my wife's pay their subscription: to (video)call (yes VoIP) us and our siblings scattered around the country and the world so that they can (see) talk to their grandchildren. Along with occasional IM and e-mail, that is pretty much it.

Perhaps would be nice to tone down your political zealotry for the maximal possible extant of corporate world domination and go out have a look at some real life.